Building frame and method for adjusting the temperature in a building

ABSTRACT

A building envelope, in particular a wall, a floor, or a roof of a building with at least two shells spaced some distance apart from one another, which encloses an intermediate space, said space being essentially empty with the exception of weight-bearing and/or construction-engineering elements or being filled at least in sections with porous, open-celled material and sealed from the interior and exterior of the building, wherein controllable sealing means are provided for sealing the intermediate space from the interior and exterior and optionally separated building envelope sections from one other.

FIELD

The invention concerns a building envelope, in particular a wall, afloor, and/or a roof of a building with at least two shells spaced somedistance apart from one another, which enclose a space, beingessentially empty, with the exception of weight-bearing and/orconstruction-engineering elements, or filled at least in sections withporous, open-celled material, which is sealed from (i.e., against) theinterior and exterior of the building. It further concerns a method forcontrolling the inside temperature in a building, which in particularhas a building envelope of the aforementioned type.

STATE OF THE ART

Conventional thermal insulation for building envelopes is static. Themaximum insulation value is sought, with minimal wall thickness. Thiscorresponds to a maximum decoupling of the interior climate and that ofthe surroundings of the building. With regards to heat management andthe heating and cooling energy requirements of a building, in mostclimate zones, this state of the building envelope is ideal only for afew days per year. Conditions far removed from the optimum increaseenergy and resource use, which means that in such cases, heat and/orcold must be brought in or expelled between the interior and theenvironment by means of complicated, external systems.

Experience with buildings having high thermal insulation have shown thatthe pronounced decoupling of the inside and outside climates does notautomatically lead to energy-efficient buildings. In recent years,discussions carried on among experts concerning building envelopes ofadministration buildings with high thermal insulation have come to theconclusion that, with high internal loads, this may have a negativeeffect on the overall energy balance. The high degree of decoupling ofthe inside from the outside climate leads to greater than averagecooling and low heating requirements.

Cooling a building, however, demands a higher share of primary energy,according to the system used, compared with heating, which contributesto inefficiency in most building categories. However, if the insideclimate is coupled to the outside climate in the cooling-load case, alarge part of the internal loads can be directly carried off to theenvironment by building envelope with reduced thermal insulation andwithout great engineering expense. The cooling of the building doeshowever require—depending on the system employed—in comparison to theheating, a higher use of primary energy, which contributes toinefficiency in most building categories. Were one to however couple theinterior to the exterior climate in the case of cooling load, then alarge portion of the internal load can be expelled directly and withoutmuch technical complexity to the environment through the lesser thermalinsulation of the building shell.

The function of a building envelope consists in the separation of abuilding between the building interior and its surroundings.Consequently, two ancillary conditions are relevant. The interiorancillary conditions (IACs) consist of the use as living and officespaces, server rooms, and machinery and supply rooms, of the temporalcourse of heating and cooling loads and the cycles thereof, as well asthe interior climate parameters related to temperature, humidity, andnoise. The exterior ancillary conditions (EACs) consist of thestructural statics, dynamics, and mechanical impacts, impacts based onweather and climate, and as their temporal course, such as weather andclimatic phases and day and night cycles. The relevant structuralconstruction factors are heat, humidity, and noise, their temporalcourse, and the building geometry. Furthermore, the intrinsic conditions(ICs) of the building envelope are relevant. These consist of thetransmission and storage capacities of the structural constructionfactors within the building envelope. For heat, these are theheat-transfer coefficient, for humidity the moisture transfer capabilityand the moisture-storage capacity thereof, as well as for sound thetransmittance. These ICs are defined by construction, geometry, andchoice of material.

Conventionally, structural construction requirements are met with aprevention and decoupling philosophy. In so doing, the structuralconstruction impacts are decoupled from the building surroundings by thebuilding envelope insofar as possible, and the indoor climaticconditions are separately established by central systems. These areshown by research trends, cf. Proceedings of the 10th InternationalVacuum Insulation Symposium, Ottawa, C A, 2011, along with Bjorn PetterJelle, Arild Gustaysen, and Ruben Baetens. 2010. “The path to highperformance thermal building insulation materials and solutions oftomorrow”. Journal of Building Physics: 34(2) 99, in the area of thermalinsulation and protection from humidity. This approach for handling thestructural construction impacts, however, fails to recognize theindustrial trend of decentralization.

In addition to conventional insulating materials such as stone and glasswool, fiber and foam materials, systems are also increasingly being usedwith evacuated layers; so-called vacuum insulation. These aredistinguished by a low layer-thickness with very high thermal-insulationefficiency, and they make good solutions with a low constructionthickness for difficult geometric circumstances. All these systems arestatic, however, and they lose their insulating effect due toevaporation, the entry of moisture, damage to the envelopes thereof, andmaterial decomposition over time. Arrangements for building envelopeswith variable heat transition exist, cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,968,831A, DE3625454 A1, WO 2001/61118 A1, WO 2010/122353A1, WO2011/146025A1,WO2011/107731 A1, CH703760A2, DE 102008009553 A1, and DE 10006878 A1.These can basically be divided into the categories of: 1) vacuumsystems, 2) active heat exchange, and 3) wall-heating systems.Furthermore, systems exist with variable heat transition, which arechiefly only achieved with structural measures (variable blinds andcanopies, polarized window glass with sun-position-dependent heattransition).

The systems currently available on the market are oriented essentiallytoward heating requirements and are not at all or only very limitedly ina position to reduce the cooling requirements. The following trends areto be recognized: basically, all systems attempt to reduce theheating/cooling energy requirements. On the one hand, a plurality ofconstruction solutions exists which include phase-change materials(PCMs).

On the other hand, systems have been suggested, chiefly in panelconstruction-style, which contain a cavity for the purpose of evacuatingair, in order to thus be able to vary the insulation effect. Thetechnical expense required to implement these systems, however, is stillalways too great for automation through the reductions obtained inenergy requirements.

As for energy considerations, conventional thermal insulation doespoorly with respect to gray energy. Manufacturing thereof isresource-intensive, as well as being very energy-intensive. On top ofthis, one must also add a volume-intensive transport, which contributesconsiderably to impairment of the energy balance.

If one were to observe the development of the space heating and coolingrequirements of office buildings over the last 40 years, it becomesclear that there exists a high potential for energy savings with abuilding envelope with dynamic thermal insulation; cf. Gasser and B.Kegel. 2005. Gebaudetechnik: Faktor 1O [Construction Engineering: Factor10]. Bau+ Architektur [Construction+ Architecture]:4/5.

Through the improvement of the insulation of the building envelope andthe increasing mechanization of the workplace, the space heatingrequirements are understood to be dropping off, whereas the coolingrequirements are increasing. A conflict of goals increasingly appears inthat good insulation for the avoidance of transmission loss is desiredin the winter, whereas in the summer this has a counterproductive effect(reduced cooling of the building overnight). With dynamic thermalinsulation, the possibility exists of approaching an optimum U-value forboth heating and cooling requirements, whereby in comparison to thesituation of today, both the heating and the cooling energy requirementscan be reduced.

Bottom line: subject to the condition that heating costs be as low aspossible, the ratio between the energy used to heat and cool is visiblybeing shifted to a greater cooling expense for most building categories.This does however require a greater use of primary energy, whichnegatively affects energy costs.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention lies in outlining a further development ofthe building envelope, which, in particular, improves the overall energybalance of the building. The method for adjusting the inside temperaturein a building, which is likewise distinguished by a high overall energyefficiency.

This purpose is solved in its device-related aspects according torelatively independent forms of the invention by means of a buildingenvelope with the features of claim 1 and in the process-related aspectsby means of a method with the features of claim 14. The respectivedependent claims effectively build on the concepts of the invention.

The invention attempts to achieve an approach for overcoming thephysical construction requirements by means of a control and managementphilosophy. In this, it is sought not to prevent the consequencesthereof, but to incorporate them in the concept of a building envelopeand by managing them in a controlled manner. The physical constructionconsequences are linked to the system and their handling is provided forin a decentralized manner. Moreover, the variable and intrinsic dynamicconditions and the inside and outside ancillary conditions are exploitedfor the heat management of a building.

The area of application (i.e., field) of such a building envelope, whichpossesses continuously controllable heat transition, is chiefly instructures, buildings, and installations with a complex and exactingheat management or with increased noise exposure. On the one hand, theseare constructions, structures, buildings, or installations (as well asmachinery housings (e.g., vehicles), in extreme cases, also, forexample, ship hulls of crafts or vessels) which have to fulfill aplurality of functions and/or are exposed to extreme internal andexternal conditions. These may involve external impacts such as thosedue to weather, climate, or mechanical loads or may consist of internaleffects due to processes or applications with severe effects fromtemperature, humidity, noise, or dust. Specifically to be mentioned arebuilding envelopes for mobile systems (in contrast to immobile systemslike structures and buildings), such as modular computer centers, serverrooms, and labs that have a standard ISO container construction orsimilar modular geometry.

The use of a building envelope with continuously controllable heattransition for machinery and installations makes it possible to attainthe heating and cooling performance requirements thereof directlythrough their envelope, which exchanges heat with the surroundings.Thus, costly external heating and cooling installations can be reducedto a minimum. Furthermore, the double-shelled or multi-shelled (e.g.,spaced-apart shells enclosing an intermediate space) execution of theconstruction offers substantial advantages with respect tosoundproofing. In combination with porous structures, they can findapplication as protective or safety envelopes for buildings andinstallations (explosion protection, etc.).

A further optimization of this system of a building envelope, so as toreduce heating and thermal requirements, is achieved in the case inwhich heat transition is controlled by targeting it as a whole. Therethereby exists the possibility in the heating operations of directingheat from south-facing, sun-lit facade areas into the building and thenwith the onset of diminishing entry of heat to once again optimizeinsulation of the building envelope and decouple it from the outsideclimate. Furthermore, integration of the system into the conventionalconstruction engineering provides a wide field of energy-savingpossibilities in the building sector.

From today's point of view, a double-shelled construction is thepreferred solution, based upon the consideration of the development of asystem with a variable and controllable degree of decoupling as aseparation component between the external and internal climates of abuilding. In order to implement the system, novel sealing systems (e.g.,means for sealing) are needed, on the one hand, for the surfaces andconnections, which must satisfy multiple requirements, such aselasticity, adhesion, durability, and temperature resistance. On top ofthis, one has the proper dimensioning and arrangement of the points ofsealing. On the other hand, newly occurring static and dynamic loadsinside the building envelope require an efficient building material thatmakes a versatile construction possible in an economical manufacturingprocess. The system further requires a method of control which iscapable of utilizing a plurality of newly arising effects such astemperature gradients, differing degrees of humidity, and phasetransitions within the building envelope for handling the heatmanagement of a building. All these aspects, combined in a system withdynamic thermal insulation and heat exchange, can lead to a significantreduction in the heating and cooling energy requirements of a building.

The basic innovative content of this system of building envelope lies ingenerally reducing heating and cooling energy requirements, bytemporarily increasing heat transition in the building envelope of astructure. Heat exchange is directly accomplished through the surface ofthe building and is exploited for the heat management thereof. Thesystem has a variable, continuously controllable U-value and activelyinfluences the heat management. Incidental moisture is monitored (e.g.,measured) and removed from the construction, and there are no negativeinfluences, such as material deterioration, on the insulation value. Aplurality of effects (for example, temperature gradients inside thebuilding envelope) can be exploited for heat management (e.g.,increasing, holding or decreasing heat transition), by means of theorientation-dependent lay-out of the building envelope into individualsectors (i.e., sectorial building management). The system is achievedthrough the novel combination of different technologies and methods.

The system advanced here is optimized in relation to the inputs for use(internal loads) and location (climate zone). This reduces theconventional building technology. Moreover, existing and induced effectsinside the building envelope are exploited for handling the heatmanagement of a building, through decentralized coupling to the buildingtechnology. The system combines the following components: (e.g., fluidsupply/removal means, sensor and input means, and so forth): 1) vacuumsystems, 2) active heat exchange, and 3) wall heating systems in variousoptions and includes specific solutions for the construction, for thesupply engineering, and for the operation of the building.

The concept describes a system for a building envelope/facade andincludes a double-shelled or multi-shelled construction, supplyengineering, and a method which allows any optional modification,monitoring, and control of heat transition through the building envelope(no curtain panels). In the internal (e.g., intermediate) space in theconstruction, which is formed either as a cavity or is filled up withsuitable, porous, open-celled materials, or one can optional employ avacuum (to minimize heat transition), or feed in air or gas (toneutralize heat transition), or introduce heat-conducting liquid (tomaximize heat transition). The resulting building envelope with adynamic U-value possesses a variable degree of decoupling of theinterior climate from the surrounding environment. Heat management canthus be directly accomplished through the building surfaces. Thetechnical requirements to be resolved are basically the sealing andcaulking of surfaces (e.g., via sealing means), connections, joints, andpenetrations. At the same time, detail, joint, and surface gaskets mustbe newly developed, materialized, and measured. Additionally, novelsupply engineering is required, whereby it is sought to integrateelectrical and plumbing components from existing systems.

The system advanced here has a direct influence through the buildingenvelope on heating and cooling requirements and moreover makes couplingto conventional construction-engineering components possible. Additionaleffects (temperature gradients inside the walls, phase transitions inthe intermediate space) can thus be exploited, which further increasethe energy-savings potential and thus make the engineering expense forits implementation worthwhile. The building is considered to be a systemin which the building envelope, consisting of construction, supplyengineering, and management process, forms a system component. Includedtherein is the approach to maintain additional freedom (i.e., degrees offreedom) relating to integrated capabilities, or capacities (heat,vacuum) and heat-transport media (air, gas, liquids). This allows formaximum exploitation of system conditions for the heat management of abuilding.

In general, it will be clearly explained at this point that the presentinvention is not specifically involved with ventilation, air flow, orback ventilation, but it does concern passively or actively influencingor controlling heat transition by means of a wall construction throughthe devices and constructions to be explained in further detail below.It does not involve heating or cooling (and then “maintaining”) a wallshell, such as heat flow propagated within the building envelope), butrather the heat from the outside inward will be controlled (actively orpassively). It therefore preferably involves closed systems (i.e.,closed-loop systems) which exhibit closed circulation (i.e., closed-loopcircuits). The object of the present invention concerns adjusting to aspecific use or climate zone, in which it is taken into considerationthat a conflict basically exists with respect to the specificconstruction and the heating and cooling function (which is stillfurther explained in detail below). Furthermore, it should be noted thatwith the present invention, heat storage inside a wall is not involved,but rather it involves heat transport from the outside inward (forinstance, from an outside heat collector into a building interior).

The following embodiments for the description of the system can bedivided into two aspects. On the one hand, solutions for influence andcontrol of heat transition (increasing/decreasing) by means of theconstruction are described. On the other hand, measures and devices areadvanced which contribute to increasing or decreasing heat transition(thermal input/output) on the surfaces of the construction with theenvironment (surface area modification).

The construction basically comprises (at least) two spaced-apart shellsthat enclose an intermediate space at a fixed distance. Saidintermediate space is filled by a porous, open-celled material or formsa cavity, with the aid of a spacer. The intermediate space can beevacuated (vacuum) or ventilated with air or a gas, or it can be filledwith/emptied of a heat-conducting liquid, as desired. The shells whichform a wall, floor, or floor construction in a structure or a housingfor a system or machine, are made from a previous loose, flowable, orfluid building material (powder, pellets, dust, concrete, syntheticresin, etc.) that is reinforced shortly after insertion into a shapingform/mold, which sets after a certain length of time and reaches itsfull strength.

In this way, it is possible to implement the construction with the aidof reinforcement (strengthening, armoring) in nearly any constructionshape and using slender construction methods. In the same way, feedconduits, piping, cables, etc. can be neatly routed, molded in, andused. In the final state, the building material must at least beairtight, or even better, vacuum-, gas-, and liquid-tight. Theproperties required can be obtained with specific additives mixed in.Particular attention is required to prevent or lessen the formation ofshrinkage cracks during the setting process. The shells of theconstruction serve chiefly for statics and the input of dynamic loads,however they can also take on a plurality of further functions, such astransport, storage, and exchange of heat and moisture or protectionagainst mechanical impacts. In order to improve the static and dynamicproperties, the building material can either be strengthened by means offibers/wires or with synthetic materials/additives mixed in or by meansof reinforcement (steel, rods made of various materials) or bracingcables.

Inasmuch as, above all, the construction with the system of slenderstructures as well as housings for machines and systems is taken intoaccount, a further type of reinforcement must be considered: the staticand dynamic joining of outer, holohedral reinforcement with the buildingmaterial (sheet-metal-concrete bonds). In so doing, the holohedralmaterial can exhibit, on one hand, inclusions, pores, or bulges or itcan be provided with a porous, open-celled binder, a non-woven material,or a fine-meshed lattice. The static, dynamic bond comes to be inasmuchas the building material flows into the open pores during theinstallation process, then sets, and is then bonded to the holohedralmaterial. In addition to directionally-defined loads, this type ofreinforcement can also take up undefined directional loads(oscillations, vibrations, etc.), and thus further strength can be lentto the construction. Furthermore, this type of reinforcement offersadvantages for the application of vacuum technology.

The construction can further be pre-stressed with the aid of a steelreinforcement. This serves, on the one hand, to improve the static anddynamic properties of the building material or contributes to thelessening of the formation of shrinkage cracks. At the same time, thesteel reinforcement is provided with a heat-insulating surface coatingand is heated up before the installation process (by an electricalcurrent, for instance). In the installation process, a difference intemperature must be maintained between the building material and thesteel reinforcement until the building material begins to build upstrength. By subsequent, delayed cooling off of both media,pre-stressing can be attained due to linear expansion.

Measurement devices and sensors are built into the two shells and/or theintermediate space, (for temperature, moisture, acceleration, vibration,etc.), in order to receive input signals for controlling the system(control process). In other respects, the construction consists of abuilding material, mixed with specific additives and a reinforcement.

In order to describe the manner of functioning and the properties of thesystem, a short overview is provided here relating to the aspects ofheat conduction and thermal insulation. Heat transport in insulationmaterials results due to the heat conduction a) of the air and/or gascontained therein, b) of the solid conductivity of the insulationmaterial, and c) thermal radiation. The main share of heat transport ininsulation materials results from the air/gas contained therein by meansof convection, gas-thermal conduction, and free molecular flow. If theinsulation material (in this case, we designate it as a supportmaterial) is evacuated, then attention must be paid to the relationshipbetween the thermal conductivity of the porous, open-celledinsulation-support material and the inside air and/or gas pressure.

If the share of thermal conduction by the gas phase is severely reducedby evacuation (vacuum insulation with low thermal-conductivity numbers,‘A<0.01 W/mK), then the share of the heat transport by thermal radiationcan no longer be neglected. In this case, specific precautions must betaken to screen the thermal radiation. Heat conduction by the solidconductivity of the insulation material can only slightly be affected.The possibilities for further reduction of heat transition are thuslimited.

The relationship between pore size and the internal gas pressure of thesupport material and the thermal conductivity resulting thereof will belaid out and optimized taking into account the use on the one hand, andthe exposure of the building to climate on the other hand. Theintermediate space of a double-shelled or multi-shelled construction cantherefore basically be laid out in a number of ways.

In order to minimize heat conduction by convection, the intermediatespace can be filled up with a porous, open-celled insulation supportmaterial (e.g., structural-support material) which is bound by tensionand pressure to the shells. If the intermediate space is additionallyevacuated, the gas-thermal conductivity can also be significantlyreduced. The porous, open-celled support material in the intermediatespace can consist of, or include prefabricated plates made of a hardfoam material or a binding material manufactured from fibers (glassfibers, synthetic fibers) and a binder/adhesive (concrete, syntheticresin), which is applied in such a way (in the form of plates ordirectly to the construction, reinforcement) that the strengthenedmaterial can absorb loads and is open-celled (e.g., a buildingframe/structure). In the future, an additional (i.e., additive) method(3-D printing) can also be imagined for manufacturing porous,open-celled support material in order to attain the pore size that ispredetermined on the basis of the interpretation of the system. Whenintroducing the building material into the form/mold, it must be ensuredthat it only penetrates into the pores of the support material providingthe spacing, until adhesion is guaranteed.

On the other hand, in order to increase heat conduction by means of aheat-conducting liquid in the intermediate space and to make a rapidchange of conditions in the intermediate space possible, it can beformed as a cavity, which is stabilized and fixed at a distance with theaid of spacers (e.g., a cavity structurally connected to at least one oftwo shells). The dimensioning, choice of material, and distribution ofthe spacers per m2 on the surface are determined by the resulting forcesbased on the negative or positive pressure in the intermediate space. Onthe one hand, said spacers can be casings or solid or hollow rods madeof a material with the highest possible strength and lowest possiblethermal conductivity. On the other hand, the spacer can be formed as aso-called spacer element. This may, for instance, be a previouslyevacuated, hard-foam material sealed with synthetic resin, whichexhibits the necessary strength and possesses a low heat conductioncoefficient. Anchoring the spacer in the shells results by means of ananchoring element previously inserted into the shells, which is fixedafter installation by the building material. The spacers must assume thefollowing functions: on the one hand, they must absorb both the staticand dynamic tensile and pressure forces that result due to the differentphysical conditions in the intermediate space, and they must fix theshells at a certain distance apart. Because the spacer forms a constantheat bridge in the construction, it should, on the other hand, possessas small a thermal conductivity as possible and make as punctiform acontact with the shells as possible. This is achieved with a materialwith a high strength and low thermal conductivity, in order to be ableto design the embodiment to be as thin as possible. In addition, spacersmust additionally fix the form/mold during the installation process andtake up the form pressure of the fluid building material and of thesupport medium.

A third variant for forming the intermediate space is a combination ofthe two preceding types of construction (e.g., an intermediate spaceoccupied in parts with a porous open-celled structure). This is producedwith a slotted or notched, porous, open-celled support material, whichlikewise has a cavity for evacuating and filling with a liquid. Thistype of construction allows different and mixed conditions to be inducedin the intermediate space in order to optimize gas and convectionthermal conductivity.

It is shown that there is basically a conflict of interest between thedynamic thermal insulation and heat exchange of the system. On the onehand, it is sought to increase heat transition through the constructionby means of introduction of a heat-conducting liquid into theintermediate space and to attain a rapid exchange of conditions. Thiscan be achieved with the embodiment of the intermediate space as acavity. But if said intermediate space is evacuated, only a moderatethermal insulation value results, due to the geometry. If, on the otherhand, the intermediate space is filled with a porous, open-celledsupport material for the purpose of minimizing heat transition and it isevacuated, the conditions in the intermediate space can only be changedslowly due to the pore size. Additionally, the introduction of aheat-conducting liquid is only carried out in a limited manner, inasmuchas said liquid (the remaining residual moisture) can only be completelyremoved with difficulty. This inevitably leads to the fact that thesystem must be specifically designed taking into account use andspecific climate zone. The selection and determination of the pore sizeof the support material, as well as the lay-out of the intermediatespace will be defined and optimized based on energy estimates for useand climate zone, whereby an optimal U-value range is achieved.

The forces acting upon the shells and spacers, which are provoked by thevarious conditions in the intermediate space, amount in the case of avacuum to a maximum water column pressure of 10 Mp/m2, as well as amaximum water column tension of 1 Mp/m2 per meter. On top of this, thereare Dynamic loads which are provoked by the exchange of vacuum, gas, andliquid. In any case, the distance-stabilizing and fixing material in theintermediate space (support material, spacer) must absorb the resultantforces. In order to be able to further increase heat transport throughthe construction, heat transition must also be improved (the heat inputor the heat output) from the building envelope to the environment. Thisoccurs basically by increasing the surface area (e.g., via surface areaenlarging). If the construction is executed of concrete, or similar,this can be executed using exposed concrete aggregate or sandblasting.If the surface is made of sheet metal, or similar, this can be executedas ribbed or corrugated sheet-metal. Additionally, heat output and heattransition may be influenced by a heat-absorbing or heat-desorbingcolored coating on the building surface (color-changing coatings areoptimal).

Furthermore, the moistening of the building surface with water, orsimilar, can further increase the resultant volume of heat to thesurface by means of liquefaction/evaporation of the heat transition. Ineach of these cases, it must be ensured that the building environmentdoes not restrict the flow of draft air or the exchange of the volume ofair.

One embodiment of the construction consists of the separation anddivision of the building envelope of a structure or installation intoindividual sectors or orientation-dependent parts and planes. At thesame, the lay-out of the corresponding intermediate space (pore size,support material, geometry) can differ between the individual sectors.

Basically, the intermediate space is therewith divided up by means of aconstruction aid (e.g., section sealing) into individual compartmentsand sectors, which are separated from one another and whose internalstates can be varied independently of one another as regards theintermediate space (vacuum, gas, heat-conducting liquid). This servesfor the purpose of exploitation of orientation-dependent arrangements ofthe building envelope (whether the exterior side is in the sun or shade,different uses on the inside), and it is exploited for the heatmanagement of the structure or installation by means of the managementprocess. In order to exploit the effects (temperature and pressuregradients on the inside of the building envelope) still further, theycan be applied to surfaces corresponding to the individual sectors withmeasures for increasing heat transition to the building surface, asdescribed in the preceding section. The separation surface between theintermediate space and the shells can be sealed with a film or syntheticmembrane, or a metal sheet, sealed with a resin or adhesive or with asurface sealant which is bonded to the building material.

A further embodiment of the construction comprises piping circuits laidin one or both shells (for instance, aluplast floor-heating pipes),through which a heat-transporting liquid can flow by means of liquid orcirculating pumps, in order to exchange the heat in the shells and toutilize the effective heat-storage mass thereof for the heat managementof the structure. The piping can be arranged in the construction shellsin a radial, circular, spiral, or looped shape. When arranging severaldifferent circulation systems inside the building envelope, thetemperature gradients that occur can additionally be exploited againstone another and can be used as heat sources or heat sinks in connectionwith coupling to conventional construction-engineering (heat pumps,cooling systems).

Additionally, controlled humidity can be introduced using permeablepiping (e.g., permeable fluid conduits) in the construction, which upontransition through to the surface evaporates. The evaporation heat beingreleased can additionally be exploited for the heat management of thebuilding. The permeable piping can also be installed in the intermediatespace, embedded in the support material. In this embodiment, said pipingcan, on the one hand, be used as a feeding means for the regulation ofthe air or gas pressure. On the other hand, it can also be used tointroduce moisture into the support material. This induces physicaleffects such as increased heat conduction, a better thermal radiationratio, and a greater thermal capacity inside the support material.

In accordance with one independent aspect of the invention (which canpreferably be combined with the aspects already explained), a buildingenvelope, in particular a wall, a floor or a roof of a building, isindeed proposed with at least two spaced-apart shells, which enclose aintermediate space sealed against the interior and exterior of thebuilding, said intermediate space being, with the exception ofweight-bearing and/or construction-engineering elements, essentiallyempty or filled at least in sections with porous, open-celled material,whereby a plurality of first partial pipe sections is arranged in theintermediate space, which are joined to a heat collector onto which arebonded the shells facing the outside and which end at the intermediatespace. Preferably, a plurality of second pipe sections is arranged inthe intermediate space which are joined to the shell facing theintermediate space, in particular a heat collector at the shell facingthe inside and which end at the intermediate space, in which a firstpipe section forms a heating pipe with a second pipe section.

A core concept of this aspect lies in the fact that heat transport (thatcan be regulated) can take place through the pipe sections from theinside and outside (and the reverse). It is hereby essential that theintermediate space be sealed. A (heat conducting) fluid can thereby befilled into the intermediate space. In combination with the(heat-conducting) fluid, heat conduction (that can be regulated) can beenabled, inasmuch as the (heat-conducting) fluid is filled into theintermediate space, in such a manner that it adjoins the first pipesection or the heating pipe (comprising the first and second pipesections). In this aspect, however, it does not involve providing pipingin order to make heat storage possible inside the building envelope, butrather in order to make heat transport possible from an outside area(particularly an external heat collector) to an inside area(particularly an internal heat collector). Preferably, both of the pipesections attached to one another are therefore laid out as twointerlocking pipe sections.

In a specific embodiment, one end segment at a time of a second pipesection is attached inside an end segment of a first attached pipesection (contact-free). Alternatively, one end segment at a time of thefirst pipe section can be arranged inside an end segment of a secondattached pipe section (contact-free). The pipe sections therebypreferably interlock with one another. Distancing the attached endsegments from one another is preferred. A space which is preferably free(so that the attached end segments do not move) for joining therebyremains, which is formed by distancing the end segments. In such a case,it is advantageous if a (heat-conducting) fluid can penetrate throughthe joint space into the pipe section, so that a heat-conducting jointis achieved between the end segments. Regulation of the heat conductionthen preferably occurs, in that the joint space is bridged in aconducting liquid, (or simply not, by removal of the fluid). In aspecific embodiment, the joint space can also exhibit a(heat-insulating) gasket (e.g., a first pipe, a second pipe, and a heatpipe with sealing). A fluid-conducting joint is thereby made possiblebetween the pipe sections attached to one another, so that thecorresponding heat pipe can carry out the transport of fluid(particularly fluid circulation). In such a case in particular, a liquidpump can be arranged at the first and/or second pipe section, throughwhich the flow rate of a liquid, and consequently heat transition, canbe regulated. In a specific structural embodiment, one end segment at atime of a second pipe section is arranged concentrically within anattached end segment of a first pipe section. Conversely, one endsegment at a time of a first pipe section can also be arrangedconcentrically inside an attached end segment of an attached end segmentof a second pipe section.

In a further embodiment, an interacting fluid circulation is achievedwith the inner and outer shell by means of the heat pipe. The heat pipecan exhibit a central pipe segment which preferably lies inside adouble-walled second pipe segment (for the return of a circulatingfluid).

In a manner according to the method, regulation (e.g., increasing,holding or decreasing heat transition) of the heat passing through cantake place as follows. The (heat-conducting) fluid can be introduced toincrease the heat passing through in pipe sections attached to oneanother. Alternatively and additionally, the liquid surface of a fluidformed as a liquid can be set at the height of the pipe sections(attached to one another) or above the pipe sections (attached to oneanother) or over the pipe sections (attached to one another). Todecrease the heat passing through, a (heat-conducting) fluid can beremoved from the pipe sections. Alternatively or additionally, theliquid surface area of a fluid formed as a liquid can be set at theheight of the pipe sections (attached to one another) or above the pipesections (attached to one another).

A further embodiment of the construction involves so-called heat pipes,which can further increase heat transition through the construction.There are basically two pipes, arranged concentrically at some distanceand leading into one another (manufactured from a good heat-conductingmaterial such as aluminum, copper, or chromium steel), which areconnected to a heat collector on the outside of the shells and whichproject through the shells into the intermediate space. At the sametime, it is important that they do not contact one another and that theyonly project to a certain point in the intermediate space. The heatcollectors (made of a good heat-conducting plate), arranged on theoutside of the construction, are now in direct heat exchange with theimmediate surroundings and can also further conduct the heat from directsun irradiation to the pipe joined thereto and projecting into theshells and the intermediate space. As long as the intermediate space isnow evacuated, no heat-conducting connection exists between the twopipes. If the intermediate space is now filled with a heat-conductingliquid, increased heat transition thereby results from one heat pipe tothe other. This arrangement thus forms a passive heat bridge inside theconstruction and thereby increases heat transition. In particular, theheat pipes act as a bridge for the heat transition of the separationlayer between the shell and the intermediate space. If the intermediatespace is now further emptied of the heat-conducting liquid, theadditional effect disappears for heat transition inside theconstruction. Because the heat pipes do not touch, they also no longerform a heat bridge in the construction. The function of the heat pipesis dependent on two levels of heat-conducting liquid in the intermediatespace of the construction. If the level lies below the heat pipes, thereis no increased heat transition. If the level is above the heat pipes,there is increased heat transition. For improved emptying of the heatpipes of the heat-conducting liquid, said pipes can be conical in shapeor provided with holes for emptying. In order to improve and increaseheat transition the heat-conducting liquid, said liquid can be mixedwith and enriched by a heat-conducting material. It is optional toexecute the spacers in connection with a heat pipe. In order to furtherincrease the heat transition of the heat collector, the aforementionedmeasures can be used to increase heat transition to the surfaces.

The concept of heat pipes can be further extended to dynamic thermalinsulation and heat exchange within the system. Thermodynamically, thefollowing principles of heat transport exist within a buildingenvelope:—passive heat conduction (solid heat conduction by theconstruction and its devices, heat transition to its surfaces and/orseparation surfaces), active heat transport (convection, reverseventilation, heat conduction through the transport of air/gas or aliquid by means of the supply engineering), evaporation/liquefaction inan open system (moisture inside the construction and on its surfaces, bymeans of permeable pipe in supply engineering),and—evaporation/liquefaction in a closed system (heat-exchange elementsas sources and/or sinks through the transport of a cooling means and/orcompression refrigeration machines and heat pumps).

These thermodynamic effects can be integrated through collectors forheat input and heat output to the surfaces, as well as with aheat-bridge-minimized mode of construction in the heat pipes. These canin addition be coupled to the construction engineering components. Whendistributed over the surfaces, the heat pipes maintain a decentralizedincrease in heat transition in the building envelope.

By coupling to conventional construction engineering (e.g., conventionalbuilding technology), the degree of decentralization can be furtherincreased. The following measures increase the operation and efficiencyof the heat pipes: in order to increase the heat input and output of theheat pipes at the heat-conducting liquid, the surfaces of said pipe canbe formed out of ribbed or corrugated profiles (e.g., first pipe, secondpipe and heat pipe with surface enlargement). In order to increase theheat transition of the heat pipes or of the heat collectors thereof tothe circulation piping laid out in the shells, said piping can beinsulated or wrapped in sections with heat-conducting plates (copper,aluminum) and can be joined to the heat pipes or to the heat collectorsthereof. In order to increase the heat input or output of the heatcollectors to the environment (inside or outside), said collectors canadditionally be coupled to specially mounted cooling bodies orheat-absorption materials.

The geometry of the building surface must be optimized with controllableheat transition in accordance with the range of applications and purposeof use for the building envelope. If the focus is on limited heating andthermal requirements, the building architecture must make the buildingsurface as small as possible. If the focus is on limited coolingperformance requirements, the building surfaces should be maximized. Thesame holds true in applications for machinery and installations. Inorder to be able to exploit a highly effective storage mass, concreteand variations thereof are favored as a building material. Additionally,it offers good properties in connection with heat radiation. Theconstruction and expansions thereof can also find application in asingle-shelled embodiment.

The construction joints such as splices, joints, transitions, orpenetrations (conduits, piping, cables) basically have the function ofsealing individual components between one another (e.g., sealing means,against the intermediate space, against the interior and/or theexterior, and against the building material or sheet metal, film, or asealing membrane. Sealing must be achieved when working against avacuum, gas, and liquid. It is clear that the system, extended over theentire structure, cannot be made completely “sealed”. The goal is notperfect sealing, but a fixed leak rate that can be monitored, which canbe optimized and minimized by means of the process (i.e., controllablesealing means). In so doing, the energy expenditure required toestablish and maintain the required vacuum and the U-value rangeresulting thereof is compared to and energetically optimized for by theheating/cooling energy expenditure relative to the corresponding U-valuerange. Standard commercial sealing systems, such as lip gaskets orO-rings can always be used. However it is central to the operation,durability and service life of the system that the sealing of theconstruction connections may also be subsequently, which is to sayfollowing the construction, influenced and improved. At the same time,sealing sites are executed in a manner and combined with materials insuch a way that they can be influenced from the outside and thus canimpinge upon the sealing. A simple example of a sealing site, which canbe subsequently influenced from the outside is, for instance, theintroduction of bitumen (in the form of a sealing membrane or tarpaper)above a groove, spur, or simple elevation between concrete and sheetmetal, or similar. If the sheet metal is heated from the outside, thebitumen then melts, flows into the empty space, the groove or the likeand seals the sealing site anew upon cooling off. This process can berepeated as often as desired and thus makes monitoring the sealing sitepossible. The drawback to this solution is that the bitumen only flowsdownward. Consequently sealing sites cannot be sealed “upward”. Thus asealing material is forced in which increases its volume in adirection-independent manner upon outside action (e.g., volume and/orshape changes). Examples of this are the so-called fire-protection sealson doors and windows, which increase their volume upon the action ofheat and by means of their lay-out in the door or window crevice preventthe passage of heat and smoke. It is, for example, possible to exploitheat, electromagnetic radiation, chemicals, or mechanical forces as ameans of outside action.

The action of heat at the sealing site can result, on the one hand, bymeans of heat-conducting plates built into the construction, whichenables heat transport from a site accessible from outside or inside theconstruction to the sealing site. The impact on the sealing site thenresults from heating up the heat-conducting plates from the outside ofthe construction or by heating up the same by means of theheat-conducting liquid in the intermediate space or the circulationpiping in the shells. On the other hand, heating wires can be integratedinto the sealing material, which can likewise be operated from outsidethe construction. In this case, even a variable leak rate can beobtained which can be monitored. In the case of impact ofelectromagnetic radiation, it must be ensured that it is not screened bythe construction materials laid on the outside. In the case of impact ofchemicals, either fine, permeable tubes can be integrated into thesealing material, or the chemicals can be directly installed in theintermediate space of construction. With all these applications, thecycling capacity must be ensured for repeated application. Additionally,it would be advantageous if the sealing material is discharged with anexpansion in volume of a resin, or similar, which cures and thus furtherimproves the sealing site. This process should be able to be repeated asoften as desired. The various structure connections are then executed sothat an impact from the outside is possible at the sealing site. Inconclusion, the sealing process can be summarized in three steps. First,the contact and sealing surfaces are joined together and possiblybonded. They are thereupon joined under the action of form pressureduring the installation process (in some cases, it is even possible thatthe impact takes place at the sealing sites already during theinstallation process). Finally, the impact can take place at the sealingsite from the outside as described above.

The following construction aids find application: in order to preventthe sealing sites from failing in a localized manner, they are eitherembodied on heat-conducting panels or are executed by means of so-calledsealing and fastening flanges and cut-out holes in the surface gasket orthe panel. In order to anchor panels (heat-conducting plates,diaphragms, flanges) in the building material, these are bent andprovided with holes or connected to a reinforcement lattice or non-wovenmaterial, in such a way that the building material penetrates the sameduring the installation process, solidifies itself, and thereby sets theconnection.

The construction embodiments describe, how windows, doors, passages,connections, and penetrations such as conduits and piping, on the onehand, as well as steps, corners, and edges, on the other hand, areintegrated into the construction. They demonstrate how the sealingproblems are solved in each individual case. In so doing, the differenttypes of construction (intermediate space executed with supportmaterial, formed as a cavity or notched support material) can becombined with one another. In the area where windows, doors, or externalcomponents are secured to the construction, as well as in corners andsteps, one can consider to form the construction with porous,open-celled support material in the intermediate space, because thesesites are sensitive to heat bridges. The surfaces can then be dividedinto sectors or formed as desired. In order to achieve an improvedsealing effect, the components can be embodied in a conical shape.

The junction or seal of the construction can be embodied as open orclosed in such a way that the cavity is secured over the entirecross-section with a sealing frame, which forms a reduced heat bridge.

With this, the special structural construction features (with regard tobuilding physics) of the system should be introduced at this point. Inspite of the minimal thickness of the embodiment (wall, floor, andceiling thicknesses), high temperature and humidity gradients can beabsorbed inside the construction. Due to influence exerted on thephysical state in the intermediate space, the course of the gradientsinside the construction can be actively affected. In the case of thetemperature course, heat transition can always be influenced andcontrolled. Vapor pressure can, on the one hand, be addressed throughthe use of a vapor lock (panel, film) on the inside of the intermediatespace in order to prevent condensation of the moisture inside theconstruction. On the other hand, moisture arising inside theconstruction can be absorbed and, with the aid of the system, beactively transported out or exploited for the heat management of thebuilding. Based on the lay-out of the intermediate space, the dew pointalways lies outside of the area in which moisture arises and couldcondense. Consequently, it protects the system from moisture damage.

Because the construction embodiment is set out for a building use andclimate zone, it comprises an optimized “pore size” for the supportmedium, which can range from a nanometer scale to an open cavity. Inaddition to pores, this may also involve surfaces, i.e. the intermediatespace can be divided up into several separation layers. Thestructure-contingent effects, such as low gaseous heat conduction withsmall pores or improved replacement rate for a heat-conducting liquidwith large pores, must be appraised, carefully weighed, and optimizedagainst one another.

The manufacturing process of the construction and of its expansions, asalready mentioned, in particular makes use of a building material, whichwas previously loose, flowable, or fluid (powder, pellets, dust,concrete, synthetic resin, etc.), which hardens after insertion into ashaping form/mold and after some time, develops their full strength. Theinternal and external physical conditions of the manufacturing process(filling, setting, and strengthening process) are the same conditions asthose of the fluid phase of water. The building material should possessthe highest possible gas and vacuum tightness, as well as good heat andmoisture conduction. The process of introducing a flowable buildingmaterial can occur either from above through a form/mold or be pressedupward from below and be sealed by means of a drilling jar. In so doing,the flowable building material is either integrated with a pump (aconcrete pump) or with the aid of a pressure-equalizing reservoir bymeans of hydrostatic pressure. The second method may become necessary incertain cases inasmuch as the pump method induces pressure waves in theflowable building material during the integration process, which cannegatively affect the form/mold.

The simplest, but also the most expensive, method for making theconstruction consists of building, for each individual shell, aform/mold, on site or in component-construction mode, and subsequentlyfilling it with the building material. The goal, however, is tomanufacture the construction and its expansions in one procedure (e.g.,self-contained building frame/structure). In so doing, basically twoproblems are posed. On the one hand, the building material must beprevented, with the aid of a separation layer between the shells of theconstruction and the intermediate space, from flowing into theintermediate space during the installation process. In order to preventthis, said separation layer can be executed as a holohedral embodimentwith a film, a non-woven material, panel, or a surface-sealing membrane,which is subsequently bonded to the building material. On the otherhand, the separation layer must be set and stabilized during theinstallation process, inasmuch as the hydrostatic pressure of the fluidbuilding material affects the same (the pressure of the form). This isachieved with the simultaneous introduction of a support medium (liquid,sand, granulate) into the intermediate space during the installationprocess. In this, attention must be given to the fact that the level ofthe support medium and of the fluid building material lie at the sameheight at all times. The material density of the support medium mustalways correspond with the scale of the density of the fluid phase ofthe building material.

Due to inertia, internal friction, or resistance to friction on thesurfaces, deviations in the density of the support medium can occur. Ifa loose solid is used as support medium, it is not the density of thesolid but rather its bulk density that determines how the manufacturingprocess is carried out. If a support liquid is used, an additive can beadded which seals the inner surfaces of the shells during the removal ofsaid liquid from the intermediate space. In order not to impair the heattransition through the separation layer between the shells of theconstruction and the intermediate space, the same should be executed ina material that exhibits a good heat transition. In the following,various manufacturing and installation methods are advanced.

If the intermediate space is filled with a porous, open-celled supportmaterial, it is possible to previously omit a separation layer betweenthe intermediate space and the shells, whereby the building material canflow into the open pores of the support material in the installationprocess, and can be bonded to it and hardened. The separation layerbetween the shells of the construction and the open pores of the supportmaterial is formed at the penetration depth of the building material. Atthe same time, it must be ensured that the bond of the support materialwith the hardened building material can absorb the resultant surfaceforces (tension, pressure). Inasmuch as the separation layer forms thesealing surface between support material and shells of the construction,it must possibly achieve a high level of density. The area on thesurface of the support material into which the building material haspenetrated and has hardened (i.e., a building frame/structure penetratedwith a hardened building material), acts as a good reinforcement. Thesolid conductivity achieved with the cured building material preventsand stops the formation of cracks in the area mentioned. The density ofthe separation layer can be increased further if any additives are addedto the concrete (synthetic resin, silicon, oil, amongst others). In thiscase, two possibilities exist. On the one hand, the physical andchemical properties of the additive (density, surface tension) willenable the flowable building material to always be at the surface. Ifthe building material/additive mixture penetrates into the open pores ofthe support medium, the separation layer is formed at a definedpenetration depth on the liquid front. On the other hand, the additive(with a density less than that of the building material) can beadministered to the fluid building material during the installationprocess above. If the level then rises when introducing the fluidbuilding material, first the additive wets or flows into the supportmaterial, followed by the fluid building material. The additive is thenonce again found at the liquid front and consequently can form theseparation layer at a specific penetration depth by hardening. Thepenetration depth can be controlled by means of the pore size of thesupport material, the form pressure, or the viscosity of the fluidbuilding material or of the additive. If the separation layer is formedin this way, then an increased vapor or moisture barrier also results.In order to also increase protection against heat radiation with lowheat transition numbers for the support medium, fine metal lamellaeshould be added to the additive (made of a film or aluminum, forinstance), whose size is smaller than the pore size of the supportmaterial. These then likewise flow with the additive as a carriermaterial into the support material and are part of the separation layer.Heat radiation occurring from the outside is now scattered to the metallamellae and is damped in its propagation by the material of theadditive (synthetic resin). This effect eliminates the problem of theformation of transverse wave excitation. In order to prevent thebuilding material from penetrating too far into the porous, open-celledsupport material in the intermediate space, an adhesion- orhardening-promoting additive can be added to the building material,which is activated on contact with the surface of the support material.The additive can also be a two-component chemical. In such a case, thefirst component is previously applied to the support material, whereasin the installation process the second component comes into contact withthe first, it reacts and can harden. If the intermediate space is formedas a cavity, several possibilities exist for its manufacture. On the onehand, a solid, holohedral support material can be applied for thereinforcement of the one shell, said material having a thicknesscorresponding to the separation distance from the intermediate space.This support material has the property that, after the occurred processof introduction of the building material into the form/mold, itsphysical or chemical properties can be altered from the outside in sucha way that it is thereupon flowable or fluid, and in this way theintermediate space can be emptied of the support material. This may be,for example, a wax, or similar, which can be thoroughly melted byraising the temperature in the shells (a salt or ice can perhaps be usedas well). The support material can however also be compacted slab-shapedsand, which can be shaken/vibrated out, or a material (polystyrene, orsimilar), which can be made flowable with a liquid (etched out).

Another installation method requires the possibility of being able topromote the process of hardening the building material at theintermediate space separation layer and of accelerating it, by means ofa flowable substance as a support medium. This presupposes that thebuilding material, in the flowable phase, cures more rapidly orimmediately in contact with a hardening-promoting liquid/substance (acuring agent, an adhesion-accelerator, a hardening accelerator). A finenon-woven material/lattice with a small mesh width or pore size is thenset up or mounted on the shell reinforcement. The support liquid, whichis introduced into the intermediate space for the purpose ofcompensating for the hydrostatic pressure of the building material, isthen mixed with the hardening-promoting substance. It is introduced inthe installation process at the same rate as is the flowable buildingmaterial. In so doing, attention must be given to the fact that thelevel of the building material is a little above the level of thesupport liquid at all times. The flowable building material thenpenetrates the non-woven material/lattice in the installation processand comes into contact with the support liquid in the intermediatespace, which is displaced by the hardening-promoting substance. In sodoing, the building material in the area of the non-wovenmaterial/lattice sets and consequently the separation layer of theintermediate space to the shells emerges. During the installationprocess, attention must be given to the fact that the fill rate isadjusted to the bonding rate of the building material in the zone ofcontact with the support liquid. With embodiments of floors, walls, andceilings, angle brackets must be introduced into the corners in order toensure that the level of the flowable building material is always abovethe level of the support liquid in the intermediate space and nointermixing occurs. Alternatively, the non-woven material/lattice can bewetted or saturated in advance with the hardening-promoting liquid(curing agent). In the installation process, the flowable buildingmaterial is now hardened while passing through the non-wovenmaterial/lattice. The problem of the installation method just discussedin the case of the cavity lie in the fact that support liquids withsuitable densities are difficult or expensive to manufacture. Incontrast thereto, a support liquid can be used, with large pore sizesfor the support material, to monitor the penetration depth of theflowable building material in the pores of the support material. Analternative manufacturing process uses a granulate (granules, glasspearls, or similar) as a support medium, which possesses a low internalor inherent friction. In this case, the separation layer is formed asabove, or a panel, a film, a non-woven material, or a surface sealantthat is bonded to the building material must be applied between theshells and the intermediate space. Additionally, either an oil, orsimilar, can be added to the support medium, in such a way that thegranulate does not remain stuck to the separation layer, or it can beintentionally bound to the separation layer. The advantage of thismethod is that a suitable density, in this case the bulk density, iseasy to achieve. Furthermore, a granulate has the advantage that it iseasy to handle (pumps with a concrete pump) and can readily be removedfrom the intermediate space after the installation process.

As already mentioned, the adhesion and sealing sites between theseparation layer and the structure connections can be hardened andsealed by the action of the hydrostatic pressure of the flowablebuilding material during the installation process, and additionally byheating the shells. As an alternative to a granulate as a supportmedium, mechanical aids, such as inflatable hoses or the like can beused.

Basically, three different processes for the manufacture of theconstruction can be applied. On the one hand, it can be preparedentirely in an element construction form, in which the size and weightof the elements are determined by their transportability. The advantageof element construction lies in the good quality control of themanufacturing process. The drawback are many and long sealing sitesbetween the elements at the time of assembly of the building envelope atthe construction site, which has a negative effect on the leak rate. Onthe other hand, the structure can be completely assembled andmanufactured on site at the construction site. The advantage to thislies in the reduction of the number of sealing sites. The disadvantageis the difficulty of monitoring the quality of the workmanship insidethe building envelope and the more difficult conditions at theconstruction site. A third possibility for manufacturing theconstruction is a course which lies somewhere in between that of theelement construction and on site construction. In this method, theconstruction is prepared in advance in so-called form elements. All thecomponents, such as reinforcement, separation material, spacers, sectordivisions, conduits, and pipe, etc. are assembled in advance on anelement form. These are subsequently assembled on site at theconstruction site, sealed against one another, and filled with thebuilding material. The quality of the components can thereby be wellmonitored, and it avoids the problem of many, long sealing sites,inasmuch as the building material is now integrated throughout all theelements in the form.

The manufacturing method discussed above also permits a multi-shelledembodiment of the construction.

Supply engineering, which brings about the functioning and operation ofthe system, on the one hand is made up machinery and assemblies, thatgenerate vacuum, convey and compress air or a gas or pump and circulateliquids (vacuum pumps, compressors, and liquid and circulation pumps).Conduits and piping systems are required for this, which can be providedwith valves, which can be controlled and switched on and off. Inaddition, measurement equipment and sensors (temperature, pressure,humidity, etc.) are built into the construction and positioned in thesurroundings and which deliver the input signals for the control system.This provides output signals with the help of a program, which then, inturn, operate correction elements and actuators. It is of centralsignificance for the functioning of the system to have available atransport and storage medium for heat capacity, and negative pressure orvacuum capacity. In the case of heat capacity, said medium can be water,a water mixture, or any liquid. The supply engineering involves, on theone hand, a storage tank (e.g., reservoir for fluid and/or air) such asthe simple water and liquid storage tanks that are conventionallyemployed in construction engineering. On the other hand, storage tanksfor a vacuum are also needed, in order to increase and generalize thefunctioning and efficiency of the vacuum pump. The transport and storagemedium in connection with storage tanks generates static or mobilecapacities of heat and vacuum, which utilize the system for theirfunctioning. Furthermore, apparatus and devices in the supplyengineering can be coupled to conventional construction-engineeringsystems (heating, cooling, heat pumps, etc.), and thus newly resultingsynergies can be exploited for heat management in the building,structure, machinery, or installation.

The expansion of supply engineering consists of permeable, oralternatively air-, gas-, or liquid-permeable pipes. These are radial,circular, spiral, or looped in shape in the shell of the construction,laid out in the sector divisions or the support material in theintermediate space of the construction. The pipes, through which a gas,moist air, or a liquid flows, can on the one hand feed or purge amountsof heat from the surrounding material. On the other hand, they can alsofeed or purge moisture. If the piping is used to bring about a vacuum inthe support material, it must be air- or gas-permeable. In order to beable to further influence the thermal conductivity of the supportmaterial, moisture can also be fed in or purged with the permeablepipes.

The expansion of the supply engineering consists of a device installedin the storage tank (water, vacuum) and makes a large volume changepossible (flowing in or out), at a pre-determined constant pressure. Forthe application in the system, a part of the boundary surface of astorage tank (rear wall) is embodied as a membrane, which is anchored bya mechanical power source (a spring element).

The storage tank can thus change its volume and this with the aid of themechanical power source at a constant pre-determined pressure (forinstance, depending on the power pattern of the spring). This enablesthe exchange of a large volume of storage medium (air, gas, liquid) atconstant pressure (for filling or emptying) and is used to flush theintermediate space of the construction. In the case of air or a gasbeing used as the storage medium, vacuum capacity can consequently bedisengaged, without a vacuum pump being required. The applicationthereof is described in more detail in the process section. Theefficiency of the device depends directly on the ratio of volumes beingexchanged. The characteristics of the mechanical power source (thespring element) can be selected and designed in such a way as tocompensate for the pressure gradient of the liquid column in thestructure. These pressure-controllable, membrane storage tanks can alsobe embodied hydraulically or hydropneumatically, and can be connected toone another in parallel or in series.

The expansion of supply engineering consists of a device, which isinstalled in the intermediate space of the construction and makes itpossible for the heat-transport medium (heat-conducting liquid) to beable to flow over the inner surfaces of the shells into the intermediatespace. The device comprises, on the one hand, a pipe connection, whichcovers a certain area of the inner surface, and which uniformly spreadsthe liquid over the surface. On the other hand, the device comprises acollection vessel, which once again collects the overflowing liquid. Theliquid flows from the top downward over the surface.

The expansion of the supply engineering consists of a device for theinstallation of heat-exchange elements into the intermediate space ofthe construction, either in the cavity or embedded into the supportmaterial. The expansion further comprises devices and connections tocouple the heat-exchange elements or the aforementionedsupply-engineering expansions to conventional construction-engineeringsystems such as heat pumps, etc. or to external heating and coolingcirculation for machinery and installations.

The concept of heat pipes, which was described under the expansion ofthe construction, can also be handled under the auspices of supplyengineering in the system of dynamic thermal insulation and heatexchange.

The method, which handles the functioning and operation of the system ofdynamic thermal insulation and heat exchange, with the aid of the supplyengineering, basically executes the following tasks. On the one hand,the intermediate space of the construction is evacuated and aholohedral, continuously variable vacuum is imposed by means ofsupply—engineering elements and devices. Heat transition through theconstruction is therewith reduced, and consequently the thermalinsulation of the building, structure, or installation increases. Therespective construction embodiment and the leak rate that accompanies itdefine the construction spaces and what vacuum and consequently whichminimal heat-transfer numbers and Li-values can be attained with thebuilding envelope. Furthermore, the process brings about ventilation,filling, or pressurization of the intermediate space with air, a mixtureof air, or a gas. This can occur by means of expansion of the supplyengineering at constant pressure. On the one hand, heat transitionthrough the construction is thereby increased and on the other hand, theintermediate space can either be enriched with moisture or flushed andbe freed of moisture. In order to further increase heat transitionthrough the construction, with the aid of elements and devices of thesupply engineering, heat-transporting and storage liquid can be directedinto the intermediate space of the construction and be filled therewith,which reduces the thermal insulation of the building. These tasks of theprocess vary the decoupling of the internal climate from thesurroundings of the construction. The process is managed by a programwhich affects the elements and devices of supply engineering. Accordingto established routines, the input signals of the measuring equipmentand the sensors are processed by this control program into outputsignals, which in turn control the components and elements of supplyengineering such as valves, pumps, etc.

As already mentioned, management of the process is geared toward andoptimized to the respective internal use as well as to the climate zonewhen planning the building or installation. Furthermore, the managementof the process can integrate forecasts and model calculations relatingto use and climate, weather, etc. As a result, the individual conditionscan be applied together in a more energy-efficient manner.

The method can be described with a base cycle and expansions thereof.The base cycle begins with the evacuation of the intermediate space andthe establishment of a vacuum at a specific pre-determined value. Theintermediate space is thereupon ventilated with air, an air mixture(containing moisture), or a gas and then filled with a heat-conductingliquid. The process of introduction of and filling with the liquid canbe accomplished either with pumps or by suction using a vacuum. In orderto once again return to the initial state, the intermediate space isdrained of the heat-conducting liquid. Inasmuch as, after draining,residual liquid remains in the intermediate space in the form of dropsand accumulations and these vaporize/evaporate with repeated applicationof a vacuum, a so-called flushing routine must additionally be executedin order to remove this residual moisture, which exerts an undesiredinfluence on the heat-conducting liquid of the construction. In thecourse of doing this, after draining the liquid from the intermediatespace, a vacuum is applied only until the remaining liquid therebyvaporizes/evaporates or at least the vapor pressure thereof isconsiderably increased, in order to bond the residual liquid in the air.The air or vapor mixture is now exchanged and flushed by means of apressure-controllable membrane-storage tank (an expansion of the supplyengineering) under constant pressure. This process can be repeated untilthe residual moisture content in the construction has been reduced to adesired, pre-determined value.

It should be pointed out that, as a result, the arrangement of the basecycle and the expansions thereof are directly associated with the poresize of the support material as well as with the geometry andarrangement of the intermediate space of the construction. The processis expanded upon and varied over and above the base cycle so that thesystem can exploit the general physical and structural constructioneffects for the heat management of a building. In so doing, thefollowing physical effects and factors are exploited, which arise withinthe construction as well as their exposure in the surroundings (interiorand the environment):

Phase shifts, which arise due to the heat capacity and the effectivestorage mass of the building material inside the construction and thevarious sectors of the building envelope. These can be tapped, bridged,or reinforced by means of expansion of the construction (pipe laid inthe shell of the construction, circulation of the heat-transportingliquid).

Different physical conditions (temperature and pressure) and variousphases (liquid, gaseous) of the substances in the support material or inthe cavity of the construction (air, air mixture, gas, liquid).

Phase transitions of substances in the support material or in the cavityof the construction (air, air mixture, gas, liquid). Basically, thephase-transition curve of the substances is run through by themanagement process, and the resulting amount of heat (latent heat) ofthe induced liquid-to-gas phase transition is exploited for the heatmanagement of the building. The phase transition is induced either by atemperature or by a pressure difference.

The temperature, pressure, and humidity gradients arising in theinterior of the construction and the various sectors. This will mainlybe possible with the expansion of the construction (division intosectors).

The amount of heat arising due to controlled diffusion into and removalof moisture from the construction. The most important aspects of theprocess and their expansions, with regard to the various constructionembodiments and construction expansions are entered into in thefollowing:

As mentioned, the determination of the process depends on thearrangement of the intermediate space in the construction. Two principaltypes of construction are possible: an intermediate space with a supportmaterial or an intermediate space formed as a cavity. Furthermore, poresize and geometry also play a role in the cavity embodiment. All theseaspects have a direct impact on how the management process is set up andconsequently on how and what amounts of heat and moisture can beexploited for the heat management of a building or of an installation.

If the intermediate space of the construction is formed with a porous,open-celled support material, the vacuum is formed rather slowly, as isthe filling with air, a gas, or the heat-conducting liquid. The limitingfactor of the cycle period is the pore size of the support material.This type of construction is suitable if the base cycle of the processis to be carried out rather slowly and likely weather and climate phasesare to be utilized (time scale: several days), as well as if heatconductivity is to be specifically minimized.

If the intermediate space of the construction is formed as a cavity, thebase cycle of the process can be carried out at shorter intervals (timescale: several hours) and day-phases are likely exploited therewith. Thelimiting factor of the cycle period in this case is the type and mannerwhereby the liquid can be completely removed and drained from theintermediate space. It is clear that in the draining process, liquidresidue and residual moisture remain in the intermediate space as dropsand accumulations in corners and on the spacers, the heat pipes, and thesector dividers. In order to be able to accelerate the draining process,the spacer, heat pipes, and the sector dividers must be embodied in aconcave or conical shape, or they must comprise special holes that favordraining. Additionally, the surface tension of the heat-conductingliquid should be reduced by means of specific additives or outsideeffects which can likewise increase the rate of draining. This type ofconstruction is suitable if the base cycle of the process, as well asthe physical conditions, phases, and phase transitions in theintermediate space need to take place at short intervals.

If the intermediate space is embodied with a slotted, notched, porous,or open-celled support material or the like, two or several differentphysical conditions can be induced in the intermediate space inaccordance with the surface treatment of the layer for separating theshells. This is due, on the one hand, to the spatial arrangement and thegeometry, as well as, on the other hand, to delays in the establishmentof the conditions. This type of construction is suitable for specialapplications.

The expansion of the process also includes expansion of the construction(orientation-dependent division of the building envelope into sectors)in the management cycle. In this, the base cycle as well as theexpansions thereof in the various sectors, operate independently of oneanother and the amounts of heat resulting therewith are exploited forthe heat management of the structure. The corners and passages insidethe construction are at the same time evacuated or ventilated to anappropriate extent, but not filled with the heat-conducting liquid. Theycan be embodied if necessary as a different type of construction.

The expansion of the process also includes expansion of the construction(circulation piping in the shells) in the management cycle. Basically,any amounts of heat can be moved inside the building and, in so doing,transported through heat transition from the shells through the pipingto the heat-transporting liquid. On the one hand, the inertia of heattransition due to the heat capacity of the building material can thus bebypassed or accelerated through the construction. On the other hand, inaccordance with the number of circulation pipes have been laid out inone structure, various thermal differences and temperature gradientsoccurring in the shells of the construction can be exploited for theheat management of the building.

If permeable pipe is used, moisture can additionally be supplied to orremoved from the building envelope. If this occurs inside the supportmaterial, heat transition can be increased therein. If this occurs inthe shells of the construction, when the resulting amount of heat (shiftin the phase equilibrium) can be tapped and likewise exploited.

The expansion of the process includes expansion of the construction(heat pipes) in the management cycle. As already mentioned, the functionof the heat pipes is based on two levels for the heat-conducting liquidin its immediate surroundings in the intermediate space. If the levellies below or outside the heat pipes, heat transition is decoupled bymeans of the heat-conducting liquid, and no additional heat transitionthrough the construction exists. If the level of the heat-conductingliquid instead lies above or inside the heat pipes, a passive couplingof the heat transition occurs by means of heat transition inside theliquid from one pipe to another and consequently a higher heattransition through the construction. Heat transition can be influencedas desired by the specific arrangement of the heat pipes inside theconstruction and of the individual sectors and controlled by filling theintermediate space with the heat-conducting liquid. The resultanteffects and amounts of heat can be exploited for the heat management ofthe building.

The embodiments for further extension of the concept of heat piping insectored construction demonstrate how the management process can beexpanded around a plurality of possibilities.

Expansion of the process includes expansion of the supply engineering(overflowing of the inner surfaces of the shells by a liquid) in themanagement cycle. In so doing, the amount of heat at the inside surfaceof the shells can be tapped without increased heat transition throughthe construction, transported away, and exploited for the heatmanagement of the building. These heat amounts could also be exchangedby means of circulation piping. It is however additionally possible inthe present case, through a targeted management of the vacuum, toexploit the heat resulting from evaporation or condensation on theseparation layer in the intermediate space to the shells for the heatmanagement of the building.

Expansion of the process includes expansion of supply engineering(coupling of heat exchange in the intermediate space with WP andconstruction engineering) in the management cycle. In this case, theprocess manages coupling to an external heating and cooling system (heatpumps, installations, and machinery). A special liquid can at the sametime be exploited either in the pipes of the circulation piping ordirectly in the intermediate space of the construction, for the exchangeof quantities of heat.

The plurality of degrees of freedom in the system, which result due tovarious types of constructions and supply-engineering components, can becombined as desired with the management process and interconnected withone another, which then results in a single expansion of the process. Inaddition to the basic cycle and the expansions thereof, variousmanagement modes can be defined. These basically consist of a thermalinsulation and a heat-exchange mode. In this, the thermal insulation orheat exchange in the building envelope is increased in the individualcase through the management process. The goal is the management, andchange in the U-value range. Furthermore, a so-called flushing routineis offered which in an active process removes the moisture from theintermediate space. On the one hand, it may involve moisture in theintermediate space of the construction, which arose due to condensation,or it may be due to liquid residue from the heat-conducting liquid thatwas previously removed from the intermediate space.

In this case, the management process exchanges air or a gas in theintermediate space of the construction. For this, pressure-controllablemembrane storage tanks (expansion of the supply engineering) arerequired in connection with specially controlled valves, which canexchange the volume of air or gas under constant pressure conditions.

The heat-conducting liquid, which finds application in the filling ofthe intermediate space, as well as the heat-transporting liquid, whichis used in the circulation piping in the shells of the construction, canconsist of the same or different liquids.

The construction, the supply engineering, and the management processform parts of the building as a system. The various expansions of theconstruction, the supply engineering, and the management process formdegrees of flexibility of the system, which can be coupled with oneanother, can be exploited against one another or combined together withone another. In this way, the system of dynamic thermal insulation andheat exchange by structures and systems can exploit the resultanteffects in various ways for heat management.

The system advanced here is optimized with respect to energy engineeringbefore planning by means of a validation and system design. Thequantities to be studied are use and climate exposure of the building,on the one hand, with the determination of the conditions and managementcycles required, as well as, on the other hand, the U-value rangestriven for, which, depending on the thermal conductivity of theindividual parts of the construction, are defined by the relationshipbetween the pore size of the support material in the intermediate space(up to embodiment as a cavity) and the inside pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial-section, perspective depiction of adouble-shelled building wall;

FIG. 2 illustrates a further partial-section, perspective depiction of adouble-shelled building wall,

FIG. 3 illustrates a further partial-section, perspective depiction of adouble-shelled building wall,

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial-section, perspective depiction of adouble-shelled building wall according to one embodiment of theinvention,

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial-section, perspective depiction of adouble-shelled building wall according to one embodiment of theinvention,

FIGS. 6 and 6 a illustrate partial-section, perspective depictions of adouble-shelled building wall according to other embodiments of theinvention,

FIG. 7 illustrates schematic, cross-sectional depiction of a buildingenvelope according to a further embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic, cross-sectional depiction of a buildingenvelope according to a further embodiment of the invention

FIG. 8a illustrates a simplified schematic, cross-sectionalrepresentation of an embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 8

FIGS. 8b-e illustrate schematic, cross-sectional representations of abuilding envelope according to further embodiments of the invention

FIGS. 9 through 11 illustrate schematic representations to illustrateembodiments according to the invention process.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic cut-away of a cross-section of abuilding envelope during manufacture

FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic cut-away of a cross-section of thebuilding envelope in an alternative manufacture

FIG. 14a illustrates a various schematic representations of seals

FIG. 14b illustrates schematic representation of a cut-awaycross-section of a building envelope

FIG. 14c illustrates schematic representation of a cut-awaycross-section of a building envelope

FIG. 15a illustrates an exemplary fixed foundation

FIG. 15b illustrates an exemplary mobile foundation with a buildingenvelope.

FIG. 16 illustrates controlling fluid supply and removal in response toacquired and/or input values of a state variable

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 3 each schematically show in partially sectioned, across-sectional representation of a double-shelled building envelope 10,20, or alternatively 30, which each respectively exhibit a first and asecond wall shell 11 a, 11 b; 21 a, 21 b, or alternatively 31 a, 31 bset at a pre-determined distance from one another, which enclose anintermediate space 13, 23, or alternatively 33. In the embodiment of thewall shells depicted, the same respectively exhibit a reinforcement,which is solely separately labeled in FIG. 2 the numbers 21 c and 21 d.

With building envelope 10 according to FIG. 1, the intermediate space 13is filled with a porous, open-celled insulation or support material 15,which can also be introduced in the form of plates and can thencontemporaneously have a support function with respect to the wallshells 11 a and 11 b. With building wall 20 according to FIG. 2, theintermediate space 23 is essentially empty, aside from a plurality ofspacers 25, which hold the wall shells 21 a and 21 bat a constantdistance from one another. Building wall 30 according to FIG. 3 containsslotted or notched plates 35 in the intermediate space 33 made ofporous, open-celled support material.

In FIGS. 4 through 6, schematic embodiment examples of the invention arerespectively represented, which stem from the constructions describedabove according to FIG. 2 and wherein the same elements with the samereference numbers as in FIG. 2 are indicated. In the intermediate space23 of the construction according to FIG. 4, there are various sectionswhich are separated from one another by fluid-tight separation walls 27,and the individual (which are not separately indicated) sections areprovided with separately controllable piping conduits 28 for the inputor output of a fluid and for the management of heat transition or heattransport through building envelope 20A in each of the sections.

FIG. 6a shows features of FIG. 6 with porous, open-celled material inthe intermediate space 23.

FIG. 5 shows as a further embodiment, a building envelope 20B, in whichboth wall shells 21 a′ and 21 b′ are modified to be thermallycontrollable or be usable, for instance as heat collectors, and in whichare arranged pipe lengths 28′ for the channeling of a heating or coolingliquid. FIG. 6 depicts a building envelope 20 c, in which are arranged aplurality of heat pipes 29, each with a corresponding spacer element 25and which are spaced some distance apart from each other, and which runbetween the two wall shells 21 a′ and 21 b″ (which have been modifiedthrough the addition of means for the affixing of the heat pipes) andwith which are respectively associated a sealing and fastening flange 29a on the inner-side of the wall and a heat collector element 29 b on theoutside surface of the outer shell 21 a″.

FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively show, in contrast to the schematic diagramsaccording to FIGS. 4 through 6 somewhat more detailed cross-sectionalrepresentations of further embodiment examples of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a cut-away of a building wall 70 of the basic type shown inFIG. 2, which is to say a double-shelled wall construction with spacers.In view of the greater detail of this representation, one has notreferred back to the reference numbers of FIG. 2; instead, the two wallshells are respectively indicated by numbers 71 and 72, the essentiallyempty intermediate space formed between the two shells is given thenumber 73 and the spacer number 74. Both wall shells 71, 72 respectivelycomprise a reinforcement 71 a, 72 a, in a building material 71 b, 72 b,internal coating 71 c, 72 c, and finally an outside form or mold 71 d,72 d. In the region of the spacer, anchoring bodies 74 a, 74 b areinstalled to the respective wall cores, and the spacer and the anchoringbodies are penetrated by a form anchor 75, which is fixed on both sideswith one each adjusting nut 75 a, 75 b. In the region of spacer 74 arerepresented, on the one side, an ordinary O-ring 76 a, and on the otherside, a sealing element 76 b which increases volumetrically underexternal energy influence (heat, radiation, or similar), for the sealingof the intermediate space 73 towards the inside and outside in the areaof the penetration through the shells 71, 72 by the form anchor 75.

Function, technical execution possibilities, and advantages of thebriefly described preceding building-wall construction are explainedfurther and in more detail above and are the object of the dependentclaims and for this reason are not once again described in detail here.As explained above in more detail, in the event of a weakening of, ordue to relevant changes in state, of a no longer sufficient sealingaction of sealing element 76 b, this sealing effect can be newlyreturned to the required size through energy input from the outside.

FIG. 8 shows a further two-shelled building envelope 80. Thisconstruction basically resembles that of building wall 20C according toFIG. 6. However here too, there has been no attempt to use the referencenumbers appearing in FIG. 6 in the assignment of reference numbers. Heretoo, two wall shells 81 and 82, which enclose an intermediate space 83,are held at a defined distance by spacer 84. The wall shells 81, 82further exhibit respectively a reinforcement 81 a, 82 a in the buildingmaterial 81 b, 82 b and respectively have a separation coating 81 c, 82c on the inner side. In the area of the spacer, and surrounding it, aheat pipe 85 is provided consisting of a somewhat narrower inner pipe 85a and of a, concentric thereto, somewhat broader outer pipe 85 b. Theinner and outer pipes 85 a and 85 b of heat pipe 85 respectively passthrough the total thickness of the wall shell 82 and 81, in which theyare arranged and project overlapping one another into the intermediatespace 83.

Each of the pipe sections 85 a, 85 b is respectively provided on theexterior wall side of shell 82 and 81 with a heat collector 85 c or 85d. A flange 85 e or 85 f is attached for each of the pipe sections 85 a,85 b on the inner side and each sealing and fastening flange is providedwith a volume-increasing seal 85 g or 85 h of the type and functionmentioned in the preceding section, against the adjoining inner wallcoating of the respective wall shell. The seals (O-ring orvolume-increasing seal) on the spacer already depicted in FIG. 7 arealso present in this embodiment; they are here indicated by numbers 84 aand 84 b.

FIG. 8a is a simplified representation of the embodiment according toFIG. 8 for further explanation of the essential features.

Pipe sections 85 a, 85 b are pipes arranged concentrically (at apre-determined distance) and leading into one another. As one can gatherfrom FIG. 8a , the pipe sections 85 a and 85 b do not contact oneanother and they only project to a certain point into intermediate space83. Pipe sections 85 a, 85 b can be made out of a good heat-conductingmaterial such as aluminum, copper, or chromium steel. Heat collectors 85c, 85 b (preferably made from heat-conducting sheet metal) are arrangedon the outside of the construction and are in direct exchange with theimmediate surroundings and can further conduct heat from direct solarradiation to the pipe section connected thereto and projecting into theshells and the intermediate space x82. As long as intermediate space 82is evacuated, no heat-conducting connection exists between the pipesections 85 a and 85 b. If intermediate space 83 were to be filled witha heat-conducting liquid, an increased heat transition from a pipesection 85 a to the other pipe section 85 b would thereby occur. Apassive heat bridge is thereby formed inside the construction and heattransition increases (considerably). As a whole, the heat pipe 85bridges the intermediate space 83 between wall shells 81, 82 and inparticular the separation layers 81 and coatings 81 c, 82 c. If theheat-conducting liquid were to be drained from the intermediate space83, then the additional heat transition within the construction iscancelled. Inasmuch as the pipe sections 85 a, 85 b do not contact oneanother, a heat bridge is no longer present inside the construction (inthe case of a drained intermediate space 83).

The function of pipe sections 85 a, 85 b therefore depends on two levelsof a thermal liquid in the intermediate space 83. If the level is belowpipe sections 85 a, 85 b (or heat pipe 85), no increased heat conductionexists. If the level is above heat pipe 85, increased heat conductionoccurs.

Spacer 84 can be embodied in conjunction with heat pipe 85.

FIG. 8b shows an alternative embodiment of a building envelope. Theembodiment according to FIG. 8b is basically laid out like theembodiment according to FIG. 8a . Additionally, a separation wall 86 isprovided around pipe sections 85 a, 85 b. The separation wall 86 is, inthis specific case, a cylinder formed around heat pipe 85 (otherconstructions are possible). The separation wall 86 is fastened to thesealing and fastening flanges 85 e, 85 f and is sealed by the same. The(cylindrical) separation wall 86 defines a liquid reservoir 87, intowhich heating liquid can be introduced (and subsequently drained from).The cross-section of separation wall 86 is double-S-shaped. In thisspecific embodiment example, separation wall 86 can exhibit a centralsegment which is inwardly displaced in a radial fashion when compared tothe edge sections. FIG. 8d shows features of FIG. 8b with fluid conduits28 and porous, open-celled material.

FIG. 8c shows a further embodiment of a building envelope. Thisembodiment basically exhibits the construction of the embodimentaccording to FIG. 8b , in particular with regards to the separation wall86. Heat pipe 85 is, however, formed differently from the embodimentaccording to FIG. 8b . In the embodiment according to FIG. 8c , pipesection 85 a includes a pipe-section segment 85 a 1 and a pipe-sectionsegment 85 a 2 that is arranged (concentrically) around pipe-sectionsegment 85 a 1. The pipe-section segments 85 a 1, 85 a 2 projectrespectively into intermediate space 83 and are (partially) arrangedinside pipe-section segments 85 b 1, 85 b 2 of the second pipe section85 b. A distance between the pipe-section segment 85 a 1 and 85 b 1 aswell as between 85 a 2 and 85 b 2 is sealed by gaskets 86 a so that pipesections 85 a, 85 b are joined in a fluid-tight manner to one another. Aliquid pump 88 is provided in pipe-section segment 85 b 2, whichachieves liquid circulation in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 8c .FIG. 8e shows features of FIG. 8c with fluid conduits 28 and porous,open-celled material. The embodiments according to FIGS. 8a, 8b make useof passive heat conduction. The embodiment according to FIG. 8b isparticularly advantageous if intermediate space 83 is evacuated or isfilled up with a porous, open-celled insulation/support material.

The embodiment according to FIG. 8c operates with active heatconduction. In this embodiment, liquid is transported inside heat pipe85 from the heat collector 85 c by means of the double-walled embodimentof heat pipe 85 through the construction to heat collector 85 d (and bymeans of pipe-section segments 85 b 1 and 85 a 1 in the reversedirection).

FIG. 9 schematically shows in a type of simple flow diagram anoperational sequence for achieving an applied or increased heat exchangethrough a building envelope of the type described above as an embodimentexample of the process according to the invention.

The intermediate space of the construction has a specified configuration(porous, open-celled support material—cavity) and a specified geometry,which is given by the climate zone and use. It is divided intoindividual sectors. The “Initial state” stage equalizes the physicalconditions in the intermediate space with either the outside environmentor the interior. This can also be indicated as “Airing”. The initialstate can also be fitted into the process sequence in order to preparethe intermediate space for the subsequent processes.

The step “Impose vacuum” reduces the pressure in the intermediate spaceto a pre-determined value by means of a vacuum pump or by pressurecompensation with a storage- or pressure-controllable membrane storagetank. Depending on the moisture content of the air or gas containedtherein, the liquid-gas-liquid phase transition can be induced by meansof the step “Impose vacuum”. The step “Introduce heat-conducting medium”fills the intermediate space with the heat-conducting medium by means ofpumps, by pressure compensation with a storage- or pressure-controllablemembrane storage tank or by the “Suction” step using the vacuum. Thiscan be air with a pre-determined moisture content, a gas, or a liquid.

The step “Drain heat-conducting medium” drains the intermediate space ofthe heat-conducting medium by means of pumps, by pressure compensationwith a storage- or pressure-controllable membrane storage tank or bysuction by means of a further “Impose vacuum” step. In the latter case,a step for airing the building envelope follows. Subsequently, there isa decision step “Repeat cycle?” during which it is decided whether and,where necessary, at which point in time the cycle should be repeated andis based upon, on the one hand, the heat exchange 38 achieved with acondition of the building envelope being filled with a heat-conductingmedium, and, on the other hand, the existing target values and forexample, additional recorded parameters. If there is no necessity forthe same, the run is concluded; otherwise one returns to the “Imposevacuum” step.

FIG. 10 shows in an analogous manner, the run of a flushing routine,with which the intermediate space of the building envelope is cleared ofmoisture or residual gas from a preceding process run at constantpressure, and which can be fitted in at various suitable points in theprocess runs.

The run begins with a step of determining the residual moisture in theintermediate space and comparison with a nominal value, as a result ofwhich it is decided whether a flushing routine is to be performed. Werethis to be the case, an “Impose vacuum” step follows (as described inthe preceding process). The “Flush out” step exchanges the air, gas, orliquid volume in the intermediate space under pre-determined,constant-pressure conditions. This is performed, for example, with theaid of a previously evacuated membrane storage tank or one prepared at aspecified pressure ratio, which exchanges the volume in the intermediatespace once, twice, or several times under constant pressure. In sodoing, a pressure difference is produced between the conditions of thesurroundings, the membrane storage tank, and the intermediate space. Avacuum pump can additionally provide the required air or gas volumes.With this step, an initial state is reached, in which the measurementand comparison steps which were initially performed are performed onceagain. If required, the cycle is then run through once again.

FIG. 11 shows, in contrast to that in FIG. 9, a rather more complexprocess run, in which at the beginning a decision for one of theavailable options “Reduce heat transition?” or “Increase heattransition?” is made. The two subsequent subroutines, which depend onthe decision made, are represented here in a rather simplified manner,and the representation is essentially self-explanatory based on thelabels. In the figure, it is also noted that, at specified sites, anappropriate flushing routine of the type outlined in FIG. 10 can befitted in.

The representations in the flow diagrams are highly simplified and donot mirror the runs that in practice are considerably more complex,which can be produced under the influence of various measurement andcomparison steps and which can be governed by intermediate decisions ordue to partial pressure decreases or increases. Such elaborations dohowever lie within the purview of a person skilled in the art and needno more detailed description here.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show segments of a cross-section of a building wallduring manufacture. In FIG. 12, an intermediate space 1 is filled upwith a porous, open-celled insulation/support material 15. An additive12 serves to form a separation layer. The additive 12 exhibits a densityhat is lesser than that of the building material 3 (concrete, forexample) and cures comparatively quickly. Due to its lower density, theadditive 12 remains above the building material 3. The additive 12penetrates the armoring 4, so that a separation layer 18 is formed inintermediate space 1. A form or mold is identified by reference number5. The insulation/support material can comprise several plates, whichare arranged above a joint 16 and next to one another. Optionally, anair conduit 17 can be provided (as a recess in the insulation/supportmaterial). The separation layer 18 forms a sealing surface between theinsulation/support material executed in the intermediate space 1 of adouble-shelled construction and the building material 3.

In FIG. 13, the intermediate space 1 is formed as a cavity. A fine-meshnon-woven material 2 fits tightly on the reinforcement lattice 4. If thebuilding material 3 (in its flowable phase) comes into contact with asupport liquid or a granulate (displaced with a bond-acceleratingadditive 8), it hardens comparatively quickly. The liquid 8 isintroduced during manufacture at the same rate as that of the flowablebuilding material 3, so that a liquid level 9 of the support liquid oralternatively of the granulate 8 is a little below the level 10 of thebuilding material 3. Cured building material which has penetrated thenon-woven material 2 is identified by reference number 6. Referencenumber 7 identifies a mirror plane of the illustration according to FIG.13. A form or mold is identified by reference number 5.

FIG. 14a shows various schematic cross-sections of the seals, whosevolumes can be changed. The schematic representation under (a) in FIG.14a shows a seal 85 g, whose volume can be increased due to heat actionthrough heat-conducting plates 141, 142. The heat-conducting plate 141is, for instance, heat-conducting plate that is connected to theoutside. Heat-conducting plate 142 is, for example, a heat-conductingplate that is provided for the division of sectors on the inside of theconstruction. In accordance with the embodiment according to (b) in FIG.14a , the volume of the seal 85 g is increased by heating action, whichresults from heating up an electrical cable 143 on the inside of theseal 85 g. Under (c) in FIG. 14a , the seal 85 g is enlarged by theaction of a chemical, which is contained inside a (permeable) pipe 144.The pipe 144 is provided inside the seal 85 g. Under (d) in FIG. 14a ,the sealing material is enlarged by the action of electromagneticradiation (at a pre-determined wavelength).

FIG. 14b shows a cut-away cross-section of a building envelope with aplurality of seals 85 g. As can be gathered from FIG. 14b , theheat-conducting plates 141, 142 are sealed against one another by meansof a seal 85 g. Further seals 85 g are provided between the sealingflange 85 e and the reinforcement 82 a. Still further seals 85 g arearranged on the heat collector 85 c as well as on the heat-conductingplate 141.

FIG. 14c shows a cut-away cross-section of a building wall with a seal85 g (by way of example, for the division of sectors) in a case in whichthe intermediate space 83 is filled with a porous, open-celled,insulation/support material. The execution of the invention is notlimited to the examples and aspects explained above, instead a pluralityof modifications are also possible, which are within the purview ofmatters known to a person skilled in the art.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the presentinvention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing fromthe spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosedembodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrativeand not restricted. The scope of the invention is indicated by theappended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changesthat come within the meaning and range and equivalence thereof areintended to be embraced therein.

REFERENCE LIST

-   -   2 Non-woven material    -   5 Form or mold    -   6 Cured building material    -   7 mirror planes    -   8 Support liquid or granulate    -   9, 12 Liquid level    -   10, 10′, 10″, 20, 20′, 20″, 20A, 20A′, 20A″, 20B, Building        envelope or alternatively wall 20C, 30, 70, 80    -   11 a, 11 b; 21 a, 21 b; 21 a′, 21 b′; 21 a″, 21 b″; 31 a, 31 b;        71, 72; 81, 82 Building-envelope shell    -   1, 13, 23, 33, 73, 83 Intermediate space    -   15 Porous, open-celled material    -   16 Plate joint    -   17 Fluid conduit    -   4; 21 c, 21 d; 71 a, 72 a, 81 a, 82 a Reinforcement    -   25, 74, 84 Spacer    -   27, 27′, 27″ Separation wall    -   28, 28′, 28″ Pipe conduit    -   29, 85 Heat pipe    -   29 a; 85 e, 85 f Sealing and fastening flange    -   29 b; 85 c, 85 d Heat collector element    -   35 Slotted or notched plates    -   3, 71 b, 72 b, 81 b, 82 b Building material    -   18, 71 c, 72 c, 81 c, 82 c Inside and separation coating    -   71 d, 72 d Mold    -   74 a, 74 b Anchoring body    -   75 Bolt    -   75 a, 75 b Adjusting nuts    -   76 a, 76 b; 84 a, 84 b, 85 g, 85 h O-ring, gasket    -   85 a, 85 a 1, 85 a 2 Inside pipe (heat pipe)    -   85 b, 85 b 1, 85 b 2 Outside pipe (heat pipe)    -   86 Separation wall (cylinder)    -   86 a Gasket    -   87, 87′, 87″ Fluid reservoir    -   88, 88′, 88″ Fluid pump    -   89 Sensor and/or input means    -   90 Control unit (CU)    -   141, 142 Heat conducting plates    -   143 Electrical cable    -   144 Pipe (permeable)

1. A porous, open-celled building frame for a building wall, floor, orroof of a building, the porous, open-celled building frame comprising:at least two shells spaced apart from one another which enclose anintermediate space being sealed against an interior and exterior of thebuilding, the at least two shells including an exterior-facing shellconfigured to face an exterior of the building, and an interior-facingshell configured to face an interior of the building; a plurality offirst pipes embedded in the exterior-facing shell, the plurality offirst pipes protruding from the exterior-facing shell and ending in theintermediate space or in the interior-facing shell; and a plurality ofsecond pipes embedded in the interior-facing shell, the plurality ofsecond pipes protruding from the interior-facing shell and ending in theintermediate space or in the exterior-facing shell in such a manner thateach first pipe together with an associated second pipe form a heatpipe, wherein each of the second pipes is arranged concentrically insidean associated first pipe without contacting the associated first pipe,or each of the first pipes is arranged concentrically inside anassociated second pipe without contacting the associated second pipe,the porous, open-celled building frame forms at least one combinedstructure together with the first and second pipes, the at least onecombined structure being sealed against at least one of (i) the interiorand exterior of the building, or (ii) the intermediate space, or (iii)at least one of the at least two shells, and wherein the at least onecombined structure is configured such that a fluid for at least one ofincreasing, holding or decreasing heat transition through the buildingenvelope of the building or affecting heat transport into or out of thebuilding envelope of the building can flow, at least in sections,through at least one of the porous, open-celled building frame, or theat least one combined structure, or the first pipe, or the second pipe,or the heat pipe.
 2. The porous, open-celled building frame according toclaim 1, comprising: means for fluid supply and removal for controlledsupply and removal of the fluid into or out of at least one of theporous, open-celled building frame, or the at least one combinedstructure, or the first pipe, or the second pipe, or the heat pipe, orthe intermediate space, or at least one of the at least two shells,wherein at least one of the intermediate space, or at least one of theat least two shells, or the at least one combined structure is dividedinto building-frame sections, to which are separately attachedcontrollable means for fluid supply and removal for section-selectivemanagement of a respective heat transition and wherein at least one of:(i) the building-frame sections are separated from one another influid-tight manner or (ii) the separately controllable means forindependent fluid supply and removal are configured for independentsection-selective control of heat transport into or out of each of thebuilding-frame sections; wherein the at least one combined structure isconfigured for at least one closed-loop circulation of the fluid, andwherein at least one of: (i) the at least one combined structure issized to be section-specific or (ii) the at least one combined structureincludes section-specific means of flow control for flow control of thefluid.
 3. The porous, open-celled building frame according to claim 2,comprising: sensor or input means for acquisition or inputting ofsection-specific values of at least one of a thermal state variable or aradiative state variable, including at least one of a measured orestimated outdoor temperature, or measured or estimated sunlightintensity, or measured or estimated moisture content, or desired indoortemperature, or desired indoor thermal radiative flux in each of therespective building-frame sections that are associated with the separatebuilding-frame sections which are connected on the input side withcontrol means for the means for fluid supply and removal.
 4. The porous,open-celled building frame according to claim 19, wherein the means forfluid supply and removal comprise: liquid pumps for filling or drainingof at least one of the porous, open-celled building frame, or the atleast one combined structure, or the first pipe, or the second pipe, orthe heat pipe of each of respective building-frame sections with thefluid.
 5. The porous, open-celled building frame according to claim 2,wherein the means for fluid supply and removal comprise: gas or airpumps for the generation of negative pressure, positive pressure, oratmospheric pressure within at least one of the porous, open-celledbuilding frame, or the at least one combined structure, or the firstpipe, or the second pipe, or the heat pipe of each of respectivebuilding-frame sections for at least one of increasing, holding ordecreasing heat transition through the building envelope of the buildingor affecting heat transport into or out of the building envelope of thebuilding.
 6. The porous, open-celled building frame according to claim2, comprising: controllable sealing means configured for controlledsealing of at least one of the intermediate space from both the interiorand the exterior or discrete building-frame sections of the building,the separated building-frame sections from both the interior and theexterior or between the separated building-frame sections, theexterior-facing shell from the exterior or the intermediate space or theinterior-facing shell, the interior-facing shell from the interior orthe intermediate space or the exterior-facing shell, the building framefrom both the interior and exterior of the building.
 7. The porous,open-celled building frame according to claim 6, wherein thecontrollable sealing means are configured to change at least one oftheir volumes, or their shape under an effect of heat, electromagneticradiation, chemicals or mechanical forces in a controlled manner.
 8. Theporous, open-celled building frame according to claim 6, wherein: thecontrollable sealing means is configured to be operated under thecontrol of or in response of sensor or input means for acquisition orinputting of section-specific values of at least one of a thermal statevariable or a radiative state variable, including at least one of ameasured or estimated outdoor temperature, or measured or estimatedsunlight intensity, or measured or estimated moisture content, ordesired indoor temperature, or desired indoor thermal radiative flux ineach of the respective building-frame sections that are associated withthe separate building-frame sections which are connected on the inputside with control means for the controllable sealing means.
 9. Theporous, open-celled building frame according to claim 2, wherein atleast one of (i) different wall, floor or roof sections, or (ii) walls,floors or roofs of spaces with different functions, which are associatedwith at least one of (i) different cardinal directions or (ii) differentenvironmental exposures, constitute different building-frame sections.10. The porous, open-celled building frame according to claim 1, whereinthe at least one combined structure is, at least in sections, fluidpermeable and configured to introduce and/or absorb the fluid into orfrom the environment the at least one combined structure is embedded in.11. A process for control of at least one of the indoor temperature, theindoor thermal radiative flux or the exterior thermal radiative flux ofa building with a porous, open-celled building frame for a buildingwall, floor, or roof of a building, the porous, open-celled buildingframe including: at least two shells spaced apart from one another whichenclose an intermediate space being sealed against an interior andexterior of the building, the at least two shells including anexterior-facing shell configured to face an exterior of the building,and an interior-facing shell configured to face an interior of thebuilding; a plurality of first pipes embedded in the exterior-facingshell, the plurality of first pipes protruding from the exterior-facingshell and ending in the intermediate space or in the interior-facingshell space; and a plurality of second pipes embedded in theinterior-facing shell, the plurality of second pipes protruding from theinterior-facing shell and ending in the intermediate space or in theexterior-facing shell in such a manner that each first pipe togetherwith an associated second pipe form a heat pipe, wherein each of thesecond pipes is arranged concentrically inside an associated first pipewithout contacting the associated first pipe, or each of the first pipesis arranged concentrically inside an associated second pipe withoutcontacting the associated second pipe, the porous, open-celled buildingframe forms at least one combined structure together with the first andsecond pipes, the at least one combined structure being sealed againstat least one of (i) the interior and exterior of the building, or (ii)the intermediate space, or (iii) at least one of the at least twoshells; and wherein the at least one combined structure is configuredsuch that a fluid for at least one of increasing, holding or decreasingheat transition through the building envelope of the building oraffecting heat transport into or out of the building envelope of thebuilding can flow, at least in sections, through at least one of theporous, open-celled building frame, or the at least one combinedstructure, or the first pipe, or the second pipe, or the heat pipe, theprocess for control comprising: controlling heat transition through theporous, open-celled building frame or controlling heat transport into orout of the porous, open-celled building frame by fluid supply andremoval for controlled supply and removal of the fluid into or out ofthe porous, open-celled building frame.
 12. The process for controlaccording to claim 11, wherein the porous, open-celled building frameincludes: means for fluid supply and removal for controlled supply andremoval of the fluid into or out of at least one of the porous,open-celled building frame, or the at least one combined structure, orthe first pipe, or the second pipe, or the heat pipe, or theintermediate space, or at least one of the at least two shells, whereinat least one of the intermediate space, or at least one of the at leasttwo shells, or the at least one combined structure is divided intobuilding-frame sections, to which are separately attached controllablemeans for fluid supply and removal for section-selective management of arespective heat transition and wherein at least one of: (i) thebuilding-frame sections are separated from one another in fluid-tightmanner or (ii) the separately controllable means for independent fluidsupply and removal are configured for independent section-selectivecontrol of heat transport into or out of each of the building-framesections, wherein the at least on combined structure is configured forat least one closed-loop circulation of the fluid, and the process forcontrol comprising: the means for fluid supply and removal are operatedunder the control of or in response of sensor or input means foracquisition or inputting of section-specific values of at least one of athermal state variable or a radiative state variable, including at leastone of a measured or estimated outdoor temperature, or measured orestimated sunlight intensity, or measured or estimated moisture content,or desired indoor temperature, or desired indoor thermal radiative fluxin each of the respective building-frame sections that are associatedwith the separate building-frame sections which are connected on theinput side with control means for the means for fluid supply andremoval.
 13. The porous, open-celled building frame according to claim1, wherein the fluid is at least one of air, a gas, a mixture of gases,a liquid or a mixture of liquids.
 14. The process according to claim 11,wherein the fluid is at least one of air, a gas, a mixture of gases, aliquid or a mixture of liquids.
 15. The porous, open-celled buildingframe according to claim 18, in combination with a building with a fixedfoundation.
 16. The porous, open-celled building frame according toclaim 1, in combination with a mobile building.
 17. The porous,open-celled building frame according to claim 1, in combination with atleast one of a craft or a vehicle or a vessel.
 18. The porous,open-celled building frame according to claim 1, the porous, open-celledbuilding frame is made, at least in sections, by an additivemanufacturing process.
 19. The porous, open-celled building frameaccording to claim 1, the porous, open-celled building frame is at leastone of: (i) collapsed, at least in sections, within itself or (ii)contracted in between or alongside the first and second pipes fortransportation; and the porous, open-celled building frame is formedinto a final structure on site.
 20. The porous, open-celled buildingframe according to claim 1, the porous, open-celled building frame ispenetrated, at least in sections, by the building material during thebuilding process of the building and functions as reinforcement of atleast one of (i) at least one of the at least two shells, or (ii) theintermediate space after completion of the building process of thebuilding.
 21. The porous, open-celled building frame according to claim4, wherein the means for fluid supply and removal comprise: liquidreservoirs for filling or draining of at least one of the porous,open-celled building frame, or the at least one combined structure, orthe first pipe, or the second pipe, or the heat pipe of each ofrespective building-frame sections with the fluid.
 22. The porous,open-celled building frame according to claim 5, wherein the means forfluid supply and removal comprise: gas or air reservoirs for thegeneration of negative pressure, positive pressure, or atmosphericpressure within at least one of the porous, open-celled building frame,or the at least one combined structure, or the first pipe, or the secondpipe, or the heat pipe of each of respective building-frame sections forat least one of increasing, holding or decreasing heat transitionthrough the building envelope of the building or affecting heattransport into or out of the building envelope of the building.